Here’s Why You Need Google My Business (GMB) Now!

Introduction:

Ranking on search engines like Google is not as easy as it used to be, unless you got a digital marketing agency doing it for you. But there are advantages to small local businesses that industry giants just can’t do anything about.

Do you know why everyone is targeting keywords ending with the phrase, “near me”? That’s because 46% of all users searching on Google are looking for local businesses.

So, how do you go about optimizing your business image for local SEO? The simple answer is Google My Business.

What is GMB?

GMB is a free and powerful tool from Google that allows businesses to list themselves as a registered physical entity that appears with their location, contact information, ratings and more information.

Think of it as a digital forefront of your business that occupies the whole space of the search result page that it ranks on. Got a branded keyword that you need to show only your business profile? Get GMB now!

Benefits of GMB:

Increased Local Visibility:

Google My Business takes care of your local searches for you. So long as the information you’ve provided to the search engine is accurate, you’ll be registered as an official entity. Of course, the verification process of getting your profile listed requires that you receive a letter from Google at your physical address. But once you do that, you’ll appear on the map as a legitimate office that can be contacted by people nearby.

Free Marketing and Lead Generation:

Your profile now has a physical address and thus, will be able to generate leads from people searching for similar product/service around you. And the best part? There’s no cost! That’s right. GMB is completely free since Google wants legitimate businesses to be listed in its directory for users to find. Since it shows your business profile along with all your offerings, images and ways to contact you, you’ll be receiving leads for free in no time!

Add to that the ability to engage with customers that post reviews, and you got traction and authentic user-generated content.

Connecting with Customers Directly:

GMB has allowed businesses to have a platform specifically for engaging their customers. The fact that they can post questions and concerns means that you have a valuable channel for feedback as well as managing reputation. Keep in mind that this can also backfire if you have had any bad dealings in the past. Customers won’t hesitate to provide proof of their dissatisfaction and unless you get ahead of the problem and fix it, the review will stay there for future leads, making potential customers turn away because they have reasonable doubt.

Building Brand Credibility and Trust:

Just as there can be bad reviews, you can be sure that satisfaction will also reap rewards. As the saying goes, “One good deed deserves another,” your leads will start flowing in since other customers will do the work of showing you as a credible and authentic source for the service/product they require. So, make sure to always engage with your customers and never leave a customer unsatisfied.

Data and Insights:

Like every other modern platform, GMB also gives you plenty of useful insights and analytics that can help you narrow down possible targeting options in terms of demographics. You can double down on your efforts on specific audiences after figuring out what type of content works for them. There is ample data that can be taken from GMB reports and used elsewhere on different advertising platforms, allowing you to replicate your marketing efforts.

Getting Started with GMB:

Getting your business listed on GMB doesn’t require much even though it offers a lot! You can manage several aspects of how your business appears as well as the sort of information that is provided there. With an easy interface that allows you to edit your profile whenever you want, you can make changes to the media, contact information or even your business name.

Conclusion (CTA)

There are several other ways to rank on Google and getting set up Google My Business Account is probably one of the most basic yet important steps to get there. Additionally, localized SEO efforts require that you go for keywords like “[service/product] near me” and you’ll outrank even the biggest whales you’re competing against in the national or international markets.

Sure, it’s not going to be as easy as making a GMB profile, but it’s necessary if you want to outrank your competitors as you expand into domains outside your immediate area. Which is why we recommend getting in touch with a branding and digital marketing agency like FOR to help you. Get in touch today and find out more ways to rank at the top!